I love mini make up samples. They’re cute, super portable, and don’t ever leave me with a huge amount of concealer that isn’t quite my shade. Birchbox’s monthly deliveries offer a whole personalized collection of beauty product samples mailed to you each month, without the hassle of explaining your epic journey to find the perfect eye shadow to someone at Sephora, hoping they’ll take pity on you and slip you a few mini-pots. More »

I might dislike writing my own New Years resolutions, but I don’t mind musing on what others might improve on in 2012. Until my friends ask for my input, I’ll stick to advising those whose bad habits end up on the cover of People. More »

I love vintage clothes, but I hate thrift stores. Going through the clothes I always end up touching one with a mysterious stain or have the sensation something is crawling off the sweaters onto my skin. Luckily Etsy shop owners are willing to do the sifting for me. More »

On January 31st, people go resolution crazy. The other 365 days of the year they might be content with where they are in life, but come New Years we have the message we’re not quite good enough coming at us from all directions. More »

New yoga pants are essential for a couple of new year’s resolutions. Get in shape. Try a new fitness routine. Don’t show up to yoga in your ten-year-old sweats again. And so the instructor can pick you out in the sea of lululemon, here are some unique Etsy yoga pants. More »

You could brave the mall and grab an armful of Bath and Body Works clearance lotion if you’ve run out already this winter, or you could check out Etsy for some handmade moisture. That way at least you’ll know they’ll … More »

I found it hard to bring up the fact I’d started online dating to my mother, since we had spent some many weekends watching sixty-year-old serial rapists chat up oblivious girls on Law and Order:SVU. I felt like no matter how hard I insisted there was little danger of meeting someone in broad daylight in a crowded New York City cafe she would be picturing one of the creepers from To Catch a Predator hauling me into a taxi. More »

After all your gifts are unwrapped today, you’ll be able to sort them into different piles; keep, return, and re-gift. But what about the inexplicable Raffi CD without a gift receipt you wouldn’t give to your worst enemy? You can turn it into cash, or at least credit to get something more your style. More »

Christmas is a good time to forgo lip plumping, color lasting, ultra conditioning lip gloss and buy it on pretty packaging alone. You probably can’t pull off RingPop gloss or Hello Kitty rings the majority of the year, but the week between Christmas and New Years is the perfect grace period for nostalgia based accessories. More »

No matter how specific you were with your Christmas wish list, you’re bound to open something tomorrow that you know will stay hidden in the back of your closet forever. The mom jeans from your well meaning aunt, the cat sweatshirt from your cousin who insist you love cats. Whatever unwanted pieces of clothing you get, however, they’re probably more stylish then these furry monstrosities. More »

Yesterday my friend and I sat down for our annual viewing of White Christmas. The conversation has stayed the same since we first watched it on the ten inch TV in our cinder block dorm room. Look at how tiny Vera Ellen’s waist is! I wish they still sold 50s swing dresses. Seriously, the inside of her thighs are hollow! I wonder if I can find a knock off of Rosemary Clooney’s black gown on Ebay? Here are some screen shots for those who just want to gape at the fashion without the musical numbers. More »

For stocking stuffers, grab bags, and friends you’d like to get a little present for but don’t know that well, Christmas cosmetics are perfect. They’re fun, full of holiday spirit, and often come in shiny packages. Here are ten present possibilities, from candy cane lip gloss to gingerbread body wash. More »

If you’ve been with your guy long enough you can pop in any yuletide DVD, from Die Hard to Gremlins, but if the relationships new or your just want a more romantic movie experience, try some of these Christmas classics. More »